Poland library blood drive benefits local hospitals

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Donna Jonda (left) is one of the people who came to donate blood at the Poland library Jan. 2. She is shown with Jan Ross (right) as she prepares to take Jonda's blood.

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Elizabeth Evan was one of the people that helped at the American Red Cross Blood Drive Jan. 2 at the Poland library.

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Sabrina Mossor has worked for the American Red Cross for going on five years. She is shown in front of one of the screening stations at the Poland library blood drive Jan. 2.

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Scott Brauer, who donated blood at the Jan. 2 blood drive, is a lifetime donor. He said that he donates because his son had Leukemia and he wants to give back to the Red Cross for all they did to help his son.

Once a month, the Poland library hosts a blood drive to benefit American Red Cross. All across Mahoning Valley, the Red Cross offers around 30 blood drives a month at different public locations, such as libraries, schools, and churches. During the most recent drive in Poland on Jan. 2, the goal was to collect 35 pints of blood.

“The American Red Cross has been having blood drives at the Poland library since 2003,” said Donor Recruitment Representative Trisha Guth-Bronson. “The library is generous enough to let us have it here and we are so grateful. We see a lot of support from the community and that’s great because all of the donations that are made here stay in the Mahoning Valley. After our donations are processed, they are sent to 57 hospitals in the area, such as the Cleveland Clinic, St. Elizabeth’s, Salem Community Hospital and Northside Hospital.”

Donors are allowed to give blood every 56 days, so long as the donor is in good health. All donors must go through a screening process to make sure they are healthy enough to donate and that recipients of their donations will not come to harm by accepting the donation. Donations are separated into three different parts: plasma, red blood cells and platelets.

“We strongly encourage everyone who can to donate,” said Guth-Bronson. “Even diabetics can donate, which not a lot of people know. As long as you are feeling well, we want your donation. But if you don’t feel good, don’t worry about it this time; you can donate the next time we have a drive.”

To learn more about the American Red Cross or to find where you can donate blood, visit www.redcrossblood.org.